Evaluates the classic text
from a Christian worldview through analytic commentary

This guide opens up
the signature book of American literature, Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, and unpacks its universal themes of sin, guilt,
and redemption." (Elsewhere, this sentence concludes with:
"...unpacks its universal themes of sin, knowledge, and the human
condition."

My Take:

Ryken begins this
guide with a one-page analysis on each of the following topics: "The
Nature and Function of Literature", "Why the Classics Matter",
"How to Read a Story", and "The Author and His Faith". This
introductory matter also includes a two-page, "Book at a Glance"
spread, which functions as a basic overview of the entire book. Each chapter of
Ryken's guide to The Scarlet Letter includes
a plot summary, commentary, reflection/discussion questions, and
additionalpublished commentary. This
material aims at explaining the story to aid the reader in thinking critically
and exercising discernment as he/she reads. As such, first-time readers will
likely want to enjoy The Scarlet Letter,
and then, return to this guide for a more detailed analysis lest their reading
experience be spoiled.

Ryken seeks to help
his reader recognize and evaluate the many religious themes (sin, guilt,
confession, salvation) as well as the rich symbolism within The Scarlet Letter. According to Ryken, one of
the major contrasts throughout The Scarlet
Letter centers between the Romantic worldview and the Christian
worldview. In the former, "evil is external and societal", whereas in
the latter, there is a "spiritual torment" for the guilty sinner (pg.
50). Ryken notes that these two worldviews differ in their diagnosis of the
problem and thus, in their solutions.

While there is much
to ponder in this material, one must ask, "Does Hawthorne's novel
accurately represent a truly "Christian worldview" or merely a
religious mindset?" Although Hawthorne mentions God, forgiveness, mercy,
and salvation, he never mentions or alludes to Christ who is the way, truth,
and life. The first (and only) mention of "Christ" in this study
guide is on Page 67. Ryken writes:

"The very last
sentences of Dimmesdale's final, farewell speech are particularly filled with
theological and biblical meaning. After cataloging the agonies that Dimmesdale
paradoxically claims were part of God's mercy to him, he asserts that if any 'of
these agonies had been wanting, I had been lost forever.' To be lost is a loaded theological word that denotes
being without salvation in Christ and therefore to be condemned eternally in
hell" (pg. 67).

In spite of the fact
that Dimmesdale goes to God for forgiveness, one must ask, "Where is
Christ?" There is no mention of the perfect life that He lived, the death
He died in the place of sinners, etc. In short, Hawthorne's novel contains no
Gospel. So, how does Hawthorne truly represent a "Christian
worldview" as Ryken asserts throughout this entire guide? [ex.
"Dimmesdale will achieve the salvation of his soul" (pg. 48).]
Everything in Scripture points to Christ. Hawthorne fails to accomplish this.

That being said, I
think there are many themes that make The
Scarlet Letter a thought-provoking novel worth reading. For starters,
Hawthorne sees sin as sin, depicts the danger of concealed sin (just like
David) and vengeance, and truthfully portrays sexual sin as sin against the
soul (without going into any nitty-gritty details). Ryken's guide does a decent
job of bringing out some of the significant themes in The Scarlet Letter. Ultimately, Hawthorne and Ryken accurately
represent the truth that unconfessed sin causes one to waste away just as it
resulted in the demise and death of Dimmesdale.

Additional questions
that might have made this guide more helpful include: "What caused
Dimmesdale and Hester to commit this sin? Why did Hester confess her sin? Was
she repentant?" To some extent, Ryken looks at this as he represents
Hester's Romanticist worldview. However, he fails to consider why Dimmesdale
never confessed his sin. Ultimately, it seems to be because he feared man
rather than God. There is a lesson to be learned here. We must fear God who can
cast our souls into Hell rather than man who can merely harm our physical
bodies. Most importantly, salvation is to be found in Christ alone, not in
merely confessing our sin. The message in these books is sketchy. Scripture says,
"If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." How does this happen? We must turn
from our sin and toward Christ. This is where Hawthorne and Ryken seem to miss
the boat. Ryken analyzes what Hawthorne wrote and labels Hawthorne's message as
representing a "Christian worldview", but how can it be a Christian worldview without
clearly representing Christ
as Savior and Lord? All-in-all, this guide is useful for analyzing themes, but
one must bring discernment to Ryken's message as well as the novel.

Other books in the "Christian Guides to the
Classics" series include:

Homer's "The Odyssey"

Milton's "Paradise Lost"

Shakespeare's "Macbeth"

Expected in Spring
2014:

Dicken's "Great Expectations"

Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress"

*Many thanks to Crossway for sending me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!